Rocket holding device



Feb. 8, 1949. M. R. GOFF ROCKET HOLDING DEVICE 3 Sheeigsheet l vvuawtopAlMillIn-L R- Buff llllll Filed Deo. 2, 1946 Feb. 8, M, R. GOFF- ROCKETHOLDING IDEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1946 Mlnn R M. R. GOFFROCKET HOLDING DEVICE Feb. 8, 1949.

3 Smeets-Sheet` 3 Filed Dec. 2, 1946 gjm/Www@ Milccm. R. Enfi- PatentedFeb. 8, 1949 ROCKET HOLDING DEVICE Milton R. GoH, Rochester, N. Y.,assigner to the United States of America as represented by the Secretaryof War Application December 2, 1946, Serial No. '713,574V

(ci. ssa-1.7)

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in rocket holdingdevices and is designed to provide a device for holding a rocket in itslaunching tube preparatory to firing the rocket from the tube. Holding`a rocket in a single launching tube for iiring from the ground is asimple mechanical problem. However, if a number of explosive-chargecarrying rockets are to be launched from their positions in `closelyadjacent tubes, the forces to be controlled are so complicated as toIpresent many problems difficult oi solution. The diiiiculties to besurmounted become greatly increased if it be necessary that thelaunching tubes be loaded from either end, as is frequently the case. Itis usually necessary to .provide the holding device with electricalmechanism for ring the rocket. Additional problems may be presented whenthe holding device is to be Vused for rockets carrying explosivecharges, to be launched from planes in flight. My improved deviceprovides the satisfactory solution for all such problems.

Provision for holding a tube-launched rocket is commonly made byproviding the rocket with either a projection or depression forco-action with a complementary depression or projection of the holdingdevice. My improved device is designed to hold a rocket provided witheither form of such means for holding it.

The essential feature of my improved device is 'the suitable combinationof inclined planes, stops and springs to provide controlled movements ofthe rocket in the process of loading and launching. The device has alocking member which can be designed to engage either about a projectionon the rocket or in a depression therein. This member is restrained inlocking position from upward and rearward movement lby the associatedparts of the device, after the rocket has been loaded, preventingaccidental displacement of the rocket. The rocket may be loaded fromeither end of the launching tube, the inclined faces of the lockingmember providing means for reciprocating the member by passage of therocket in the tube in either direction to engage the member With therocket. The rocket is positionedin the locking member while the memberis in unlocked position, and the member and rocket are moved axially ofthe tube into locking position. Launching ofthe rocket automaticallymoves the member into unlocked position to free the rocket. The

locking member can be moved from locking to unlocking position, byoperation of its associated parts, to jettison an unlred rocket ifdesired. The device is provided with electrical mechanism to co-act withthe electrical ring means of the rocket when the rocket is in lockedposition.

In the drawings:

Fig, 1 is a top plan view of the device mounted on the rocket launchingtube, the parts being in loading position.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, in thedirection of the arrows, showing the rocket being loaded forwardlythrough the rear end of the launching tube. 'Y

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section showing the rocket seated in the holderjaws.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device, the parts being in lockingposition to hold the loaded rocket.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 2, the parts being in the position ofFig. 4. Y

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 3, the red rocket leaving the holderjaws;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 'I--T of Fig. 5, in thedirection of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentaryV transverse section on the line 8 6 of Fig. 1,in the direction of the arrows. n

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the locking pin for theoperating lever shown in section.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the catch for the slide, shownin inoperative position.

As illustrated in the drawings, my device has a base I suitably mountedat the rear end of the rocket launching tube 2, as by bolts 3. The lowerface I-d of the base I is concave to conformv to the conveXity of thecylindrical tube l2, andthe upper face I-b ci the base I is plane. Thebase I and tube 2 are provided with longitudinal registering slots 13and 5, respectively, suitably positioned adjacent the rear ends of baseI and tube 2. A jaw-carrying member 6, slidable longitudinally andoscillatable transversely in the slots 4 and 5, is suitably mountedfonthe lower face of a fiat spring 'l slidable longitudinally on the topface I--b of base I, guided between blocks 8 on base I. The forwardwidened end 7-a of spring 'i is received in housing 9 suitably mountedon base I. The forward movement of sliding spring 'l is limited by stopI0 suitably mounted on base 3 I. VAn L-bracket II is mounted on theupper` face of spring 'I above the forward portion of member 6, and anL-bracket I2 is mounted on top of housing 9. Brackets II and I2 haveoriices I3 and i4 respectively in which is received rod I5 provided atits rear end with nut I5 engaging bracket lI on its rear face. A coilspring I'I about rod I5 bears between brackets II and I2 to urge spring'I and its member 6 rearwardly. The forward end of rod I5 has anorificed tongue Ii! through which is loosely received a plntle pin I9for a cam plate co-acting with shoulder 2! of bracket I2. Plate 20 hasan operating lever 22 provided with longitudinal slot 23. Pintle pin I9passes through slot 24 in housing 9, and

through spring "I, and has its head ISS-a, received in slot I-c of baseI. From the foregoing description of the parts, it will be understood('Figs.V

1 and 2) that when the lever 22"is in the Vposition shown in solid linesin Figs. 1 and v'2, the cam.. plate 20 is so positioned relative toshoulder 21 as to cause pin I9 to draw rod I5 forwardly,

thereby sliding spring I and its membei1 E, forwardly, into the loadingposition, the spring Il Abeing vtensione'd by `such movement. The devicemay be provided with a latch I25 which is pivoted about `pin 25 in baseVI and has ahead 2l, co acting with notch 'I4-'o in spring '.l, and anoperating 'finger 28. A vleaf spring 2S has one end rolled to form acollar 33 to t about postsSI and 32in tion by latch 25, the lcam Vil maybe rotated by f lever 22 to the position shown in ldotted lines in Fig.l. The lever 2.2 is retained against accidental *displacement by itslocking pin 33 received Vin slot 23 and -pivoted on ypintle 34 on base Ivand Vprovided with spring 35 which lis so 'connected between base I andpin 33 that when pin33 is moved upwardly past dead-center, the spring-35tends to retain pin 33 in vertical position and when pin Y 33 .is moveddownwardly past dead-'center `the spring 35 tends to hold pin 33 inhorizontal position.

suitably mounted on the rear end of base I, above slots and 5 and therear'end of spring 1, there is a bridge member 36 providing a throat 31opening upwardly above spring 'I slightly wider Vthan the width ofspring 7. At its bottom open end this `throat 3l has lateral. slots 3Sformed in the lpillars of bridge 36 andwhich are slightly widervertically than the thickness of spring l. Spring 1 has lateral wings'Ie-'c designed to 'move into and out of slots 38 when spring I isreciprocated. The forward edges39 ofthe pillars'cf Athe bridge members36 are slightly slanted rearwardly downwardly to guide wings i' c intoslots '33.

The spring 'I and member 6 Vhave registering transverse bores Y'I-cZ andEi-a in whichV is 'disposed a socket 40 of suitable electric insulationmaterial in which is 'slidably mounted a contact pin 4Iy urged towardmember 'by a-coi] spring 42 and provided with suitably insulated wire43. A similar wire 44 is suitably connected for elec'- trical contactwith spring The member 6 is provided on its Vunderside with a pair ofjaws 45and45 Yso related as toffor'm a throat 41 therebetween. Therearjaw 45 has a (rearwardly to a bottom plane portion 5I.

4 cam surface 48 inclined downwardly forwardly to a bottom plane portion49, and the forward jaw 4B has a cam surface 53 inclined downwardly Therear wall 5'2 (forward face of jaw 45) of the throat 41 is a planesurface normal to the longitudinal axis of member 6, and the forwardwall 53 (rear face of jaw 46) of the throat 4'I is a plane cam surfaceinclined downwardly forwardly to bottom portion 5I. The jaw 45 has asocket 54 in which is slidable a vcontact pin 55 urged forwardly by acoil spring 56 and vhaving an oblique face 51. Y

The rocket R to be used with my device is pro- I vided with a peripheralcollar 58 on the rear end 'of rocket R having suitable dimensions to bereceived into throat 4l and be engaged fore and aft by jaws .'45 and 46.The collar 58 has a circum ferential groove '59 formed therein in whichis mounted a split ring insulating member 60. `Mounted in member G0,there is a split-ring electric contact member 6I to co-act with contactpin 4I of the device. A binding post 62, suitably insulated electricallyfrom the rocket body, connects ring 6I to wire 6,3 leading totheelectrically 'actuated squib I64 of the igniter 65 in the rocket R. Wire66 connects the squib B4 with `collar "5,8 which co-acts with contact 55to complete the electrical circuit 'when the rocket R has been loaded. g1 y 4 1 When the 'part's'of theele'viceV are adjusted as shown in Fig1,'-a rocket may be loaded either 'forwardly'or rearwardly into launcher2. If, as shownfin 2, the rocketRfis loaded forwardly, the eollar 58Vengaging Ycam surface 48 of vlaw 45 'rocks member E and spring -1upwardly against tensionwof spring 1. When Icollar 58 has clearedsurface ligand released'me'mber, spring] causes `member 6 tomove`downwardly, collar 53 vbeing received in throat 41, the rear wall 5-2of the throat 47, because fof its angular disposition, fav vcilitatingthis` movement. The V-parts 'have then moved from, the position of Fig.2fto the position of Fig. f3. If the lrocket R is loaded rearwardly,collar 58"wil1 -bearon'cam surface .-50 of jaw '46, and the same resultwill besecured. Thus it is obvious tha'tfrontarid 'rear loading areprovided. Y .With the parts in position shown in Fig. 3, spring fl mayb'efi'noved rearwardly by turning cam 2t [by lever '22 to relievepressure of cam Y2l) on shoulde1 2-I. It will be noted that high point2liais "so placed on 'cam 2B, 'as to cause spring 1 to move slightlyforward toyreliev'e pressure on catch '25 so thatiit can 'be 'releasedfrom spring 7. As cam 251s moved 'into'dotted line position (Fig. 1'),spring'Il will move rod I 5, spring 1, 'themember '6 andthe rocket Rrearwardly into the position shown in Figs.. 4 and 5. It Vwill be notedY that, when the `coll`ar58 has 'been seated in throat 41 (Fig.V 3), the"spring 1 hasregisteied 'its wings -c withslots 38, softh'a't when the-parts are moved rearwardly, wings ifo move into slots 38, withtheresult that spring 'I is restrained against upward movement by bridgeYmember 36](F1'g. 7), thereby securely flocking 'collar 5a yand therocket yR. inthe device. YIt is obvious that'rocket R cannotA bereleased' 'until spring I has been moved forward suicientlyto freewings'l-fc from bridge A36 to permit Y'upward inovement'of spring 1 'tofree jaw's 45 andf'll'ff-romvcollarL58.. e

Y It `will be noted (Fig.j5`) that, when vthe rocket R is lookedin thef'device, the electrical contacts 4| and 55 ofthedevice arapressed' intointimate Contact with contact member 6l 'and collar 58 of the rocket R,respectively, to 'complete the electrical circuit to squib 64.

When the rocket R is red by the usual firing switch (not shown) causingthe squib 64 to fire igniter 65, its initial movement forwardly exertedagainst jaw 46 will cause spring 'I to move forwardly against force ofspring l1 (Fig. 6). When this movement has been suilcient to free wings1-c from bridge member 36, the collar 58 bearing against cam surface 53will force jaw 46 upwardly to free collar 58 and release rocket R forflight from launching tube 2.

When the parts have been thus moved forwardly by the action of rocket R,latch 25 retains them in the position shown in Fig. 1, for re-loadingtube 2.

If it is not desired to retain the parts in loading position, after thefiring, the catch 25 may be dispensed with, or if it is a part of thedevice, it may be rendered inoperative by the disposition of its partsas illustrated in Fig. 10.

If the catch 25 is not used, the parts will be returned, after therocket R has been red, to rear position by spring I1, the lever 22 beingas shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and moving forwardly and rearwardlywith spring 1, the slot 23 containing pin 33 permitting longitudinalreciprocation of lever 22, and pin 33 preventing rotation of lever 22about pin I9. Obviously, when lever 22 is to be rocked to move cam 20,pin 33 is moved to inoperative position as shown in dotted lines in Fig.9, and the parts can be moved forwardly into loading position (Fig. 1)by lever 22. It is obvious, that should ai loaded rocket be notlaunched, it can be jettisoned, by moving the parts by lever 22, intothe position of Fig. 3, and moving the rocket forwardly, by any suitablemeans to be removed through the forward end of tube 2.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a device for holding a rocket in a launching tube, the combinationof an engaging member slidable longitudinally of said tube andreciprocable radially of said tube; means to slide said member; means onsaid member to engage said rocket when it is placed in said tube; andmeans to restrain said member against reciprocation when it is slidrearwardly of the tube, the rocket co-acting with said engaging means toslide said member forwardly to release it from said restraining means,and to reciprocate said member to release the rocket, when the rocket isfired.

2. In a device for holding a rocket in a launching tube, the combinationof a leaf spring slidable longitudinally of said tube; means forattaching the rocket to the leaf spring, said attaching means beingurged by said leaf spring toward the rocket when the rocket is placed insaid tube; a spring urging said leaf spring rearwardly of said tube;means for moving said leaf spring forwardly of said tube; andrestraining means to prevent movement of said leaf spring away from saidtube when said leaf spring has been moved rearwardly of said tube, therocket co-acting with said attaching means to move said leaf springforwardly to release said leaf spring from said restraining means and tomove said leaf spring away from said tube and release said attachingmeans from the rocket, when the rocket is fired.

3. In a device for holding a rocket in a launching tube, the combinationof a leaf spring slidable longitudinally of said tube; a pair of jawscarried by said leaf spring, for engaging the rocket, said jaws beingurged by said leaf spring wardly of said tube; means for moving saidleafspring forwardlyY of said tube; and-restraining means to preventVmovement of said jaws relative to the rocket when said leaf spring hasbeen moved rearwardlyof said tube, the rocket coacting with one of saidjaws to move said leaf spring forwardly to release said leaf spring fromsaid restraining means and to move' said leaf spring away from saidtube, and release said jaws from the rocket, when the rocket is fired.

4. In a device for holding a rocket in a launching tube, the combinationof a leaf spring slidable longitudinally of said tube; a pair of jawscarried by said leaf spring, for engaging the rocket, said jaws beingurged by said leaf spring toward the rocket when the rocket is placed insaid tube; a spring urging said leaf spring rearwardly of said tube;means for moving said leaf spring forwardly of said tube; and a bridgemember through which said leaf spring slides, having abutments engagingsaid leaf spring, when said leaf spring is moved rearwardly, to preventmovement of said leaf spring away from said tube, to lock said jaws inengagement with the rocket, the rocket co-acting with one of said jawsto move said leaf spring forwardly to release said leaf spring from saidabutments and to move said leaf spring away from said tube and releasesaid jaws from the rocket, when the rocket is fired.

5. In a device for holding, in a launching tube, a rocket provided witha peripheral collar, the combination of a base member mounted on saidtube and provided with a longitudinal slot registering with alongitudinal slot in said tube; a block slidable longitudinally in saidslots and oscillatable radially of said tube, said block having a pairof jaws forming a throat therebetween for reception of said collartherein, said jaws having inclined faces; a spring member, on which saidblock is mounted, slidable on said base member and having lateral wings,said spring member tending to urge said block toward said tube; a coilspring conned between said base member and said spring member andtending to urge said spring member rearwardly relative to said tube;manual means to slide said spring member forwardly relative to saidtube; and a locking member mounted on said base member and co-actingwith said wings whereby oscillation of said block is prevented when saidspring member is moved rearwardly by said coil spring, said inclinedfaces of said jaws co-acting with said collar to oscillate said springmember to admit said collar to said throat, when said spring member ismoved forwardly by said manual means, and the rocket is introducedthrough either end of said tube.

6. A device for holding a rocket in a launching tube comprising holdingmeans on said tube for yieldingly engaging a complementary means on saidrocket to hold same in firing position when said rocket is inserted fromeither end of the tube, manually operated latch means for locking saidholding means on said complementary means against accidental release,and means operable upon rocket discharge to unlock said latch meanswhereby an engaged rocket may release itself from its yieldingengagement with said holding means.

'7. A device for holding a rocket in a launching tube comprising amember reciprocable radially of said tube and spring pressed inwardly toengage a rocket in said tube, said member being .mamme mounted forlimited reciprocating movement REFERENCES CITED longitudinally ofsadtube a cammedcatchon The following references 'are of record in thesaid member constructed and arranged 4to fvyeldlefof this :patent:

-ingly engage a portion of saidrrocketwhen vinserted fromether end'ofythe tube to holdsame 15 Y UNITED STATES PATENTS in :firing position, alocking latch on said-member Number LName Date responsive upon rearwardmotion Ythereof to-:lock 1233-9152 'Mannes No-v 20 ,1945 'Said 'catch onsaid rocket, resilient means ^urg 23g1864 l(mammal, V Jan. l 1946 .mgsaid latch rearwardlyinto locking-positiv, .2343011636 Gourd s-Nov.1'11947 and means operable by rocket motio'nupondis- 1.0

Acharge to move ysaid member forwardly 'to 'req lease said lockinglatch. Y Y

.MILTON R. GOFF.

